🔍 Key Findings
- Submucosal resection via a transanal approach was associated with a low rate (1.1%) of major complications and prolonged survival across benign and malignant rectal tumors.
- Overall recurrence rate was 21.5%, with higher recurrence in malignant tumors: 28.6% (carcinomas) and 30.4% (carcinoma in situ) vs. 13.6% (adenomas).
- Complications (P = .032) and incomplete margins (P = .023) were independently associated with increased recurrence risk.
- Recurrence was the only factor associated with increased risk of tumor-related death (P = .046).
- Repeat submucosal resection was successful in 60% of dogs with recurrence, indicating feasibility of this as a salvage approach.
- 1-, 2-, and 5-year survival rates for carcinomas were 95%, 89%, and 73%, though overall survival was significantly longer for benign tumors (P = .001).
- Preoperative diagnostics (FNA, biopsy) were often inconsistent with final histopathology – only 64.3% biopsy agreement.
- Presurgical imaging was not consistently performed, limiting accurate staging in many dogs.
